How to prepare for hysterectomy/oopher.. ?

trigeek

Hey gals,

Did not know where to post this so am posting in multiple threads. My ovaries, uterus seemed to have gone bonkers ( I think the tamox fueled the weirdness although I had only been on it for 5 months.. and I did have lower back pain way before that WHICH I IGNORED !!!) there are complex cysts with abnormal doppler flows on both ovaries, enlarged / thickened uterus, endometriosis,fibroid.. you get the picture.

ca-125 markers came out clean, got a pet scan they did not call me so I am thinking that no news is good news.

Went to a oncology gynecologist who said he did not think it was cancer but definitely said we should take all out, hopefully laparoscopically ( robotic assisted).  If he does not like what he sees after frozen section he will need to open up doing regular surgery yikes !!!

So my questions are:

1 - How do I prepare for hysterectomy, in case I do have abdominal incision ? For after the surgery..

2 - Any suggestions on what to take after surgery ? I heard that due to the growth hormone increase for recovery it is important to take some antiinflammatories to prevent mets if something bad is indeed there ? Can I take curcumin.. fish oil maybe ? should I take it immediately after surgery or is there a problem with those related to clotting ?

Overall any heads up on hysterectomy ? I went so prepared to my bilateral mastectomy but am having a hard time finding info on this.

Thanks in advance !  

Katiejane

  I'm having a Hyster/Ooph/and bladder sling done on the 22nd.  They're planning on the Vaginal approach and hopefully I won't wake up with an abdominal incision!!!  I'll stay overnight, will come out of surgery with a foley catheter and maybe a PCA pump(pain meds). Maybe a few steri strips if the Laproscope is used.

Your Gyn surgeon will advise you on what you can expect post op, what meds you will need, and what your expectations should be.  Do not bring/take your own meds pre or post op. This could cause MAJOR problems.  Your Doc needs to know everything you are taking in the way of medications.  Talk to your Doctor-Mine spent 1 1/2 hrs explaining everything to me and doing a pre op exam.  Make a list of all questions and have him go over everything with you.

Good luck with your surgery--when are you doing this?       Chattie

kerry_lamb

Hey Tri! It's been AGES since I had a hysterectomy ( for chopped-liver periods + a fibroid tumor the size of an orange) ..but what I WISH I'd been told was this: take metamucil for about 3 days before the surgery and make it the first, second and third thing you eat afterwards!  I had an 'abdominal', but all I ended up with was a 10cm pink horizontal line just above the pubic hair..no big deal at all. I taught myself to sit up in bed without using my abs in about 10 minutes. These days (17? years later) I would recommend slippery elm bark powder instead of metamucil, but to this day..I am STILL  pissed off because that small piece of information would have completely altered my experience, especially of recovery! Your onc will advise on the other stuff. Stay positive! All this leads to one place: wellness! 

joaniemac

        Hi trigeek,

So sorry you have to have hysterectomy. I had total abdominal hysterectomy Feb '07 for endometrial cancer. Wasn't caused by tamoxifen - was pre-bc diagnosis.  Found a wealth of info at  www.hystersisters.com. There you'll find general info on how to prepare, what to expect during & after surgery & message boards too.  I'd highly recommend this site.  Best wishes for a good diagnosis & smooth recovery.

Joaniemac

Anonymous

trigeek--definitely ask the doctor before ever taking fish oil, as it does affect clotting. My gyn was concerned about ovarian cancer when I had a very large ovarian mass show up on CT scan after severe abdominal pain. I made sure he did "peritoneal washings" during the surgery--that lets them look for any stray ovarian cancer cells  in the peritoneal cavity. (it's just an extra precaution that they can take to make sure of the diagnosis). Fortunately, everything was benign for me but I did end up with a TAH/BSO. The biggest piece of advise I have for anyone having an abdominal hysterectomy is take colace and senekot to help with the constipation, drink plenty of fluids and get up and move around a little bit more each day. And be good to yourself--if you are tired, REST!

 Praying you have it done by lapro--much quicker and easier recovery.

Anne